Steven Pearlstein- Fall Courses

GOVT 367:001 Issues in Government and Politics: Money, Markets and Economic PolicyNo prerequisite. Applies basic economic concepts to an examination of fundamental issues facing the U.S. and global economies. Explores the way markets work, the reasons they sometimes fail and the role of government policy. Topics include productivity and economic growth, taxes, health care, globalization, income distribution and financial crises, with an emphasis on market structure, social institutions and the not-always rational behavior of investors and consumers.

Over the last decade, economics has moved from the periphery of the political conversation to its white hot center. This course will provide a familiarity with the fundamental issues facing the U.S. and global economies, along with an understanding of the economic principles that underlie them. The course is aimed at non-economics majors seeking the economic literacy necessary to do their jobs, manage their lives and participate intelligently as citizens in a democracy. It is taught by a prize-winning journalist with a knack for demystifying complex economic ideas and policy choices and translating them into conversational English. There are no prerequisites and the course involves very little math. Critical thinkers with curious minds are strongly encouraged to enroll. (MW 1:30 – 2:45 pm)

HNRS 131:004 Congressional Elections

We will study the 2018 Congressional campaign as it unfolds this fall in Virginia and around the country—an election that will be referendum on the Trump administration in which control of both houses of Congress will be at stake. We will not only follow it through the mainstream (and not so mainstream media), but also through the eyes of individuals who are in some way participating in it: a farmer, a small business owner, a teacher, a soccer mom, a nurse, an evangelical minister, etc. Each student will be assigned someone who comes from as different a background, and has as different views, as we can find (that’s the “multiple perspectives” part). Students will speak to their subjects by phone weekly, keeping a journal and “seeing” the election through his or her eyes. Along the way, we will read about politics, political journalism and public policy and discuss the interaction among them. A campaign manager, a pollster, an elected official and a political journalist will be invited to speak to the class. We will also conduct an exit poll on Election Day. Some summer reading may be required. Registration closed after August 1.